mature person transitioning their dealership to the next generation

Considering transitioning your dealership to the next generation?

You’ve invested time, effort, and heart into building your dealership. It’s now time to start thinking about your exit strategy. What are your succession goals? What are the opportunities available to you? Who are your potential successors – family members or a third party?

We’ll work with you to answer these questions and develop a successful exit plan that protects your legacy, prepares your dealership’s future leaders, and lays the groundwork for continuity and success.

Our advisors will help you exit on your terms and maximize the value of your business, no matter the size of your dealership or how far you’ve progressed in your succession plan.

business work in an office with a laptop and papers

Download our succession checklist

From tax planning to ownership transfer to performance improvements, a succession strategy will help you maximize returns on your life’s work.

Succession success story: Zanchin Automotive

Picture of Joe Zanchin

"What I like about MNP — they give you that personal attention. I've never experienced that before.

The Zanchin Automotive Group is about 48 years old. We’re selling a lot of automobiles… and we’re doing big business. My daughters took over the business so that it would be able to continue, and I hope they do even better. But with MNP behind them, they will succeed.”

Joe Zanchin, Founder, Zanchin Automotive Group

Insights

  • Confidence

    November 21, 2024

    FAQ: Canada’s new luxury tax and dealerships

    There are many questions dealerships have about how Canada’s new Select Luxury Items Tax Act will impact their business. MNP has responded to the most common ones here, to help you adjust to and comply with the new legislation.

  • Progress

    October 28, 2024

    Tackling turnover in dealerships: Strategies to improve recruitment and retention

    High employee turnover is a persistent challenge for Canadian auto dealerships.

  • October 03, 2024

    Employees want to be paid via a corporation? You'll both need to consider these factors first

    To incorporate as an independent contractor or not? It's hard to make a case where the benefits outweigh the potentially costly risks.

Contact our Dealerships team

Chris Schaufele CPA, CA

National Leader, Dealerships

Chris is MNP’s National dealership service leader and a Business Advisor with the firm’s Assurance and Accounting group in Surrey. With nearly 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, Chris oversees the firm’s delivery of dealership services across Canada, leading a dedicated team of professionals who work with more than 600 dealerships nation-wide.

Chris helps automobile dealers and leasing companies, as well as business owners in other industries, ensuring they have the information they require to make strong business decisions. He delivers a full suite of assurance services, including audits, reviews and compilations, helps with tax planning and compliance, and advises on a broad range of business issues. His expertise in accounting and assurance standards and keen understanding of the automotive industry allow him to identify opportunities to help his clients succeed.

Chris earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA, Co-operative) in accounting from Simon Fraser University in 2008. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), qualifying as a Chartered Accountant (CA) in 2010.

Chris is passionate about giving back to the automotive industry and sits as a member of the board of directors of the New Car Dealers Association of BC.